Flash Fiction # 699 --A Tale of the First Alliance/4

 

"The Dragon core is awakening," he interpreted, and somehow kept his voice calm. The Prince said more, and Ryson almost missed it. "As allies, they ask for troops to help protect their home cave. And for this sacrifice to help save my people, we will pledge an eternal alliance and will fight to the death for your land."

That was quite an unusual offering, and not one to be brushed aside.

Kono took only a moment to answer. The high color of her cheeks was all that betrayed her surprise at such an offering. Ryson had thought that she wanted Callum beside her rather than him, but he had been the best choice for interpreter. Besides, even the sprite would not expect an answer right now.

"I have a question," Kono said softly. The sprites nodded like a wave, and Ryson again wondered how much they were interconnected.

"Ask," the Prince replied, and Ryson restated the word for Kono.

"We are not your only allies, and physically, we are not even the strongest. Why did you come to us with such an extraordinary offer?  Are there others in this alliance?"

"Only the humans," he answered. "And because we have fought you within the last century, and know that you are inventive and daring. If we must take on the dragons, such abilities will be useful.  They are much like how dragons react."

Now there was an interesting observation.

"I will give you my answer at moonrise," she said with a deep bow.

The entire group returned the bow and left.

"Well, damn," Callum mumbled as he moved closer to join them.  "The dragon core waking explains all kinds of trouble that we have seen. Will you accept the alliance --"

"Never!" a familiar voice shouted.  Councilor Jirgin rushed into the room with four guards.  That confirmed some of Ryson's list. "We will never join battle with non-humans at our side!"

"Jirgin, shut up or I will lock you up."

Jirgin sputtered and turned so fast that Ryson thought he was going to start spinning. He finally focused back on the Queen, but his eyes were bulging, and his breath came too fast.

"You would never dare to lock me up!" The man shouted as he looked at the Queen. "I will see you put on trial and will never have another woman ruler for as many generations as remembers your poor leadership that will tie us forever to these alien creatures."

"Well, that was your last chance." She looked toward his guards and gave a slight nod. "Lock him into the yellow suite in the east wing. He is to be served the same food as the rest of us. His wife may visit as long as she's willing to be searched going in and out. Enjoy your stay."

The guards took the stunned and strangely silent man away and left the three alone in the hall again.

"Well, that went better than I hoped," Queen Kono declared with a bright grin.  "I feared he wouldn't make his move until we were negotiating the treaty. I wanted him out of the way before then."
"You could've told me that the guards were yours," Callum complained. He looked annoyed, but Ryson was just happy to have that part out of the way. There were other counselors who would protest, but none were as theatrical as Jirgin. 

"I didn't want this to turn into a sideshow. Besides, I wasn't sure of them until you checked them out, Callum. We had better get ready for the conference. I want both of you there and sitting with me."

She walked away while Ryson and Callum rushed off to their rooms. Ryson realized this was the time to dress for the occasion. He threw open all his cases and began digging for hidden jewels. He also shook out his blue velvet and black silk ensemble. He did not ask for servants to help them because he was never sure if he could trust them, having been away for so long. He did the same in foreign courts. Right now, this felt very much like another foreign land was suddenly thrust into the kind of intrigue it is best to avoid.

But this was home, and he had known that at some time all the troublesome knowledge was going to come to the aid of his Queen. So, he straightened his clothing and stepped out into the hall just in time to see Callum passing.

Callum had dressed for the occasion as well, and he clearly hadn't given back all the jewels.  He still dressed predominantly in black; however, his vest glittered with gold embroidery and inlaid emeralds. He also wore matching emerald earrings and a massive emerald ring. Ryson could barely take it all in.

"Well," he said as they looked each other over. "Shall we go down together, or do you want to take the show for yourself?"

"Together," he said with an emphatic nod.  "This change isn't for me."

He did not want his Queen to look shabby.  Ryson had dressed for the occasion for the same reason.  He enjoyed watching the others take note of Callum's change and wondered if any thought the change made his cousin weak. There were those kinds of fools in every court.

Queen Kono blinked several times when they stopped beside her. She made no other sign of noting the change. Ryson had the feeling Callum wouldn't be allowed to wear his favorite black clothing again.

The Court artist was present, and over the next week, he painted the life-size portrait of the three of them that still hangs behind the queen's throne.  They stood in a sea of Ice Sprites, the bright moonlight illuminating the snowy landscape beyond the balcony. They were about to align humanity with an old enemy. Copies soon spread in all directions, making some of their previous work impossible. Ryson began taking lessons in fighting and stealth from Callum.  So far, no one realized he possessed the ability to cast magic.

 Some would soon curse them.  Others were wiser.

Especially after the Dragon Core awoke.


The End -- for now

Flash Fiction # 698 --A Tale of the First Alliance/3

 

Callum stopped, listened, and then pressed part of a stone wall to the side.  Ryson had not considered this particular passage, and he hurried in, the other two following him. Feeble light filtered through cracks in the wall, and they fell silent when they heard someone pass by. Callum laid his head against the crack in the stone, and they waited in silence until he gave the signal.

"They are running in circles again," Callum said with a laugh as he led them farther into the castle. "You would think they'd never lived in a castle or heard of a secret passage. I do still wonder who leads them, though."

A turn of his head showed he was looking at Ryson.

"Not me," Ryson replied. "I haven't been around long enough to know what's going on. I just know that the Council is uneasy and wants me to find out why the queen has turned aside from their gracious pleas and their superior wisdom."

"And those were their words, of course," Queen Kono replied.  It was not a question.

Ryson would have said something witty, but he was saved by Callum, who suddenly took them through a passage Ryson did not know. His mind went into memorizing every touch, scent, and sound. It was a gift once common in his clan, but generations had passed, and now it came down to Ryson and Callum.  Callum was the only one who knew about Ryson.

And Kono knew, of course.  She had been like clan to them when they were younger.  He supposed she still was, especially since her own clan ignored her.  They never went so far as to disobey the queen, but they made it plain they didn't trust her decisions. 

And that really had been her mother's fault. Queen Ana had been brilliant but as changeable as a cat.  Clerks had often raced to do assignments before they changed by midday. To be truthful, Kono had a bit of that tendency – to act on first impulse, and then to adjust her orders later.

Where was Callum taking them?

They had no lights down here.  Ryson was tempted to do something that would shock his companions. No, not yet. There would be a better time. This adventure looked increasingly as if something bad was about to happen.

Or, had it already happened?

"Why are we hiding down here?" Ryson finally asked as they paused again.

"Mostly we are getting out of the way of the incoming Ice Sprites," Callum explained. "And hold that thought for a moment, Kono. I didn't know until Ryson's people came in, and my agent slipped in with them. Why did you gather so many servants in the last couple of villages?"

"Last night I got the feeling of something odd going on," Ryson said and leaned back against the cold stone wall. "I suspected agents were trying to get in and deliver news. I also counted on Callum and his people being on guard against anyone who came in with me."

"Well done," Callum said before Kono could speak. Ryson heard the queen make a sound of frustration. "It is why you send us out, Kono. And now, you know as much as we do. Unless Ryson has more information?"

"Something set the Ice Sprites on the move, but you cannot exactly sneak into their camp. Something set them in motion, but I can't tell if it's a problem for them or for everyone. Technically, they are our allies. They may be coming for help."

"Or to help," Kono added.  Ryson could hear the anger in her voice.  "How dare you!"

"I was not going to let you out there until I was sure of their intentions," Callum told her. "The battle bell has not rung. It is time to go out, and in time to meet their ranking emissary."

"My people!" she protested.

"I gave you the signal, and you sent them away.  Only the guards remained."

She still sounded frustrated but gave a nearly silent sigh of capitulation.  "Well done."

Rock grated slightly as light filled the little cubicle.  They stepped into a familiar hallway in the west wing. By the time they passed servants, they had brushed away cobwebs and drew no unwanted attention. 

Callum and Ryson walked a proper five steps behind the queen. Ryson kept to Callum's blind side and was careful with his work guarding the queen. They didn't know why the Ice Sprites had arrived, and for all he knew, they were a distraction for something far worse.

Ryson walked with his hand on the pommel of his sword. He was one of the few allowed to wear a weapon near the Queen. Callum was another, and he walked with the same stance and hand on his weapon. People used to say they looked alike before Callum's injuries. Ryson knew that the fierceness so many people saw in Callum was part of this act—but only part. He had changed in many subtle ways after the ambush that should've killed him.

Ryson had said nothing about such changes, but he sometimes saw the queen glancing at their friend with a frown that seemed to indicate that she didn't know what to expect either.

From one step to the next, the air got noticeably cooler. A moment later, they stepped back into the Great Hall, where they had been before they took a tour of the cobweb-infested secret passages.

Ryson wondered if he should be amused.

Amazed was the better description right now. There had to be at least 300 Ice Sprites in the hall. He had never seen so many at once, even at their own court, which he had visited more than once. Having grown up in snow country helped.

They brought winter with them, not that it was ever far away from Snow Rock Castle. The Sprites produced not only the winter cold, but also the beauty. Frost painted new designs on the old marble columns and dusted the rest of the room with frozen glitter.  The sprites formed a sea of icy blue with a few darker puddles in the corners. They were too calm for this to be a friendly gathering. They seemed colder than usual, as well.

Their leader stepped forward with his interpreter.  Kono came down her steps and met him within a yard.  Ryson, who spoke sprite better than anyone at court, went with her. He wished she hadn't gone so close, not only for her safety, but because it was damn cold down here away from the throne.

They exchanged greetings. The Prince who greeted her was unusually high-ranking, and that told Ryson again there was trouble out there. It was even more apparent when they went straight to the problem, which turned out to be something more dreadful than he had expected.

Flash Fiction # 697 --A Tale of the First Alliance/2

 

 

Queen Kono wanted perfection in work and looks; Callum was anything but a vision of perfection. He consistently wore black from the eyepatch over his left eye to his boots.  The queen gave him jewels; he gave them back.

The people at court wondered how he survived.

He was good at his work. 

Someone might say that he was a mere messenger. Ryson had heard it more than once ... but a reminder that he worked for the queen usually quieted that bunch. Very few had the nerve to ask where Callum delivered those messages. 
 
The Queen's patronage was endorsement enough for his good work, and only fools would ask for more.

It seemed to Ryson, as he watched his younger cousin, that Callum chose his relentless black outfits for more than to look sinister. Twice, Ryson thought he had lost Callum, only to have him appear in some other shadows a few feet away.

The queen lingered and talked to minor clerks. Callum apparently cleared the room, scaring those who lingered in the shadows, except for Ryson.

Then, Callum disappeared between one clerk and the next. Ryson had hoped to follow and deliver questions for the Court Council, but now he had to watch for a second chance. 

Wandering the dark, cold halls of Snow Rock Castle did not appeal to Ryson.  He hated working for the Council, which had become a group of bad-tempered elders. They had sent for him the moment he entered the main door into this foreboding pile of rocks and snow.  No matter how long he stayed away from Snow Rock, Ryson could never feel comfortable coming back home.

The Council was not helping in that matter. 

Ryson hated this assignment. Someone on the council mistrusted Callum or the queen -- or both. They wanted information that the queen didn't want them to have

They sent --

A small, very sharp blade settled across his neck.  Ryson stopped breathing and moving. This was the time to think and listen.

Two people. He hadn't expected that since the second moved almost as silently as the first.  Ryson caught a hint of a special scent.  No, it could not be.

"Queen Kono," he greeted her without moving.  "Forgive me for not bowing."

"Told you," Callum said in that same sullen, mocking tone Ryson had tried to beat out of him as a child. The blade disappeared. "It took you long enough to catch up with us. You heard her?"

"Yes, but I caught her scent first. Where are her guards?"

"Guarding her rooms," Callum replied. "I am too used to it.  We will have to find a way to neutralize it."

"Better if I announce that I am looking for a new scent and stop wearing any at all. After all, this was my mother's scent." She moved silently closer.

"You have been teaching her the arts," Ryson said. "Isn't that what the guards are for?"

"Depends on how much you trust the guards. How many do you know work for the Council?"

"I know of at least six," Ryson admitted. 

"If you two continue this conversation around me, you might end up running the prison cells -- from the inside."

They stood in silence.  Kono grew angry, but Ryson only heard it as a little hiss of breath.

"If you decide to do that, be certain to move anyone you truly want kept locked up. I fear I may turn liberal in my pardons.  This way." Callum led them down a seldom-used hall. Queen Kono looked at Ryson with a raised eyebrow, probably not realizing how much she looked like her mother.

Ryson shrugged, and at that moment, the three were children again. If only life were that easy to fix.  Many people would disapprove of the three joining forces again. Much like Callum, he didn't care.  Doing right didn't always win friends. 

Flash Fiction # 696 --A Tale of the First Alliance/1

 

 

 

 

"Go," the queen ordered.

Everyone in the great hall froze and fell silent, wondering if Queen Kono had directed the order at them.  Prince Camtor was most apt to have this reaction since the queen had just summoned him for the first time in the three years Camtor had been at court. People she didn't like rarely lasted long.

Queen Kono wanted perfection in work and looks; Camtor was anything but a vision of perfection. He consistently wore black from the eyepatch over his left eye to his boots.  The queen gave him jewels; he gave them back.

The people at court wondered how he survived.

He was good at his work. 

A mere messenger, someone might say. Camtor had heard it more than once ... but a reminder that he worked for the queen usually quieted that bunch. Very few had the nerve to ask where he delivered those messages. 
 
The Queen was reference enough for his good work, and only fools would ask for more.

It seemed to Ryson, as he watched his younger cousin, that Camtor chose his relentless black outfits for more than to look sinister. Twice, Ryson thought he had lost Camtor, only to have him appear in some other shadows a few feet away.

Camtor played the game through most of the evening. Then, Camtor  disappeared between one waltz and the next. Ryson had hoped to follow, but now he had to watch for a second chance.

Ryson hated this assignment. Someone in the council mistrusted Camtor or the queen -- or both. They wanted information that the queen didn't want them to have

They sent --

A small, very sharp blade settled across his neck.  Ryson stopped breathing and moving. This was the time to think and listen.

Two people. He hadn't expected that since the second moved almost as silent as the first.  Ryson caught a hint of a special scent.  No, it could not be.

"Queen Kono," he greeted her without moving.  "Forgive me for not bowing"

"Told you," Camtor said in that same sullen, mocking tone Ryson had tried to beat out of him as a child. "You heard her?"

"Yes, but I heard her first. Where are her guards?"

"Guarding her rooms," Camfort replied.

"Where she should be," Ryson replied.

"Depends on how much you trust them."

"If you two continue this conversation around me, you might end up running the prison cells -- from the inside."


This is a short piece for a new series I am contemplating.  I apologize for the late postings.  I hope to do better in the new year.there are four parts.

"Go," the queen ordered.

Ryson watched as everyone in the great hall fell silent, wondering if Queen Kono had directed the order at them.  Callum was most apt to have this reaction since the queen had just summoned him for the first time in the three months Callum had been back at court. People she didn't like rarely lasted long.

Although just because Callum wasn't called to the Queen's Court didn't mean he never saw the queen in private. After all, the three of them were practically a clan of their own. They had grown up together, and she allowed Callum and Ryson certain liberties that nobody else in the court would dare do.

Callum gave some sort of signal, and in the next moment, the queen spoke.

Her voice had softened, and she even smiled. "Everyone, go to your duties.  We are done here."

People bowed and left, some with discreet glances at Callum.  Ryson noted that his cousin ignored them all. He also did not leave the room. Neither did Ryson, though he was more discreet about it and just stepped into the shadows, displacing a clerk who hurried out of the room. He made note of the man. The queen did have enemies.

Callum didn't bother to do even that much, though he did smile in Ryson's direction. Of course, he hadn't missed his cousin's quiet arrival.

Ryson was the opposite of Callum in personal refinement. He dressed well, though with little pretense, despite his wealth. Ryson liked bright colors and jewels, but wore little of either, at least at the Queen's court.

Flash Fiction #695 -- Old Fred's Wisdom

 

 

The bullets flew all morning, a cacophony of death and destruction.    By noon, the worst was over, leaving half the trees in the forest riddled with holes.

The turkeys fared better than the oaks this year, although that wasn't always the case. This time, even the stupidest of the birds remembered he could move. Trees had a disadvantage there.

How have I survived to reach seven years old? 

Anytime there are humans with weapons in the woods is a good day to roll in some mud and pretend to be a log.

Besides, I'm a turkey vulture, not a turkey. 

Flash Fiction # 694 -- Not Planned

 

So, there I was, lying on the floor, wondering how long it would take Russ to notice that I wasn't online. I had spent hours trying to find a spot to pull myself to my feet after a surprise fall.

I had one last hope. We had set Alexa to call Russ. Alexa had no trouble making the call, but it didn't sound like we connected.  I tried to think of something new to try. But I got lucky; they came and carted me off to the hospital.  Two days later, Russ took me back home. The cats were pleased.

Flash Fiction # 693 -- Ghost Girl and Spirit Dog

 

The team arrived before dawn with their expensive and mostly useless equipment. Every paranormal team tested for the same abnormalities, but always expected to find something new.

The sun stood barely over the horizon when Gray Girl paced up and down the grand staircase, floating over the missing stairs without a thought. 

"I'm bored." Gray Girl threw herself onto the empty hearth by Spirit.

"So are they," Spirit replied with a doggy smile.

The readings for that day became legend and were never repeated. 

Gray Girl and Spirit Dog curled up by a pretend fire and slept the ages away. 

Flash Fiction # 692 -- Agreement

 

 

Valance stood with his back against the wall, and his head bowed as though resting. Two fingers settled casually on the pommel of his sword, and to anyone who didn't know the soldier, he would appear perfectly at ease.

The woman who entered the room did not make that mistake. She looked him over as if they had never met before. "You completed your task?" She asked. No, she demanded the answer.

"Enemy army destroyed, city in ruins, people scattered.  Now it is time for your part of the agreement."

She glared and then nodded.  "Let us marry, Prince Valence." 

Flash Fiction 691 -- Changes

 

Ungnyeo, lady of the brown bear, keeper of forgotten ways, stared at the craft that would transport her and the others to a new world. There, she would protect and nurture them. They would grow in her grace.

Ungnyeo appeared out of place in hand-sewn clothing as she stood in the shadow of flashing monitors and steel walls.  She shrugged the bearskin higher, ready to leave for Gojoseon.

Magic from that ancient place would follow them from Jigu. As others gathered to leave, a few waved for her to join them, but none prayed anymore.

No matter. That would change.

Flash Fiction #690 -- Life or Death

 

They say if you sit long enough in the shadow of the North Tower, you'll see everyone you ever knew. I didn't believe it until my father walked by, jingling of metal and gold. He'd abandoned his family for the long war and died in a forgotten battle. 

"Choose your side, boy," he ordered.

"What are my choices?"

"Stupid, blind -- no son of mine --life or death, boy. Choose."

"Life."

Father smiled, showing rotting teeth and a putrid black tongue.  I had known his choice.

We would fight forever on opposite sides. There had been no real choice for me.

Flash Fiction #689--Neko heads home again/4

 The horror took all but one thought.

I don't want to be here.

Darkness rippled like water all around him. Things moved, creating more ripples.  Neko tried not to see them, but sometimes he saw a flash of neon color, unexpectedly pretty.

Strange.  He would never have thought Maude had such a calm and sometimes pretty place within her. The feel--

Not her nightmare.  The horror took all but one thought.

I don't want to be here.

Darkness rippled like water all around him. Things moved, creating more ripples.  Neko tried not to see them, but sometimes he caught a glimpse of a flash of neon color, unexpectedly pretty. It moved closer, but something else pulled it away. Neko felt as though he was watching some sort of battle and wondered what he should hope for from this. What part of Maude should he hope to win in this contest? Could he trust anything pretty from her?

The battle continued. He tried to move closer and became aware of other things beyond the darkness. Those parts he could recognize as being Maude's creations. They seethed with anger. What was he supposed to do here? He had never been powerful.

Strange.  He would never have thought Maude had such a calm and sometimes pretty place within her. The feel--

Not her nightmare.  This was a powerful repudiation of everything she tried to throw at him. This was not his power, so someone else had found the link and had come to help him.  He didn't recognize the magic and that told Neko what he needed to know.

"Merlin," he dared whisper.

Neko felt more than heard the agreement. For a moment, he almost relaxed, but that could be too simple a trap.  He did not want to fall into Maude's hands at this point. Rage gave her power.

"Good," Merlin said, suddenly standing by Neko. The cat jumped and fluffed up a bit before he got control of his nerves. Merlin lifted his arms and sent out a wave of magic that transformed into… funny-faced balloons.

Maude's reaction matched Neko's confusion. They had both expected a masterful battle of wits and magic. Instead, they watched the balloon start to dance and sing. It was appalling. Or maybe it was just amusing.

Or confusing. Maude had to turn her attention to figuring out what was going on. Her level of rage dropped considerably. Merlin grunted in appreciation, and suddenly the balloons transformed into wraiths, attacking their prey. Maude tried to call her warriors to battle, but the balloons and the wraiths confused them. Maude shouted orders that her gargoyles and other monsters were not listening to. Dorian and Callen turned and sped toward her as the shadows of her nightmare disappeared.

Neko started that way but then changed his mind when he saw Luna trying to help Reggie with some sort of black blobs that kept bouncing at him. It took little to shred the blobs, and they fizzled and disappeared with a nasty-smelling puff of smoke.

Merlin was preparing to leave the others behind on the Hill and reinforce it so that even Maude's nightmares couldn't escape. Neko considered going with them, but they had enough company. Besides, he really wanted just to go back into the bookstore and rest.

He slept in the chair this time, although I made sure there was no spell attached to it as well. He was only aware at dawn, when the others came straggling in with mutters about the weather.  At least they showed no sign of battle, so Neko didn't feel so bad about not going with them.

Silver Cloud came into the building with four dragons. They quickly shifted to a smaller size. He still felt intimidated. Neko missed a good part of the conversation until he heard someone say they could sit on the roof and guard.

"Taller buildings," Neko pointed out and tried to pretend like he was paying attention. "Dragons sitting on the roof would still draw attention."

"This is an old-fashioned building," a Dragon said with a nod toward him. "It has a nice exterior cornice and corbels at each corner. A perfect spot for a Dragon to play gargoyle."

The others grunted in agreement. Neko couldn't decide if they were happy with the idea or not. Even Silver Cloud seemed less confident about the decision. Nonetheless, Silver and three other dragons went out onto the roof to check things out. 

Neko had trouble falling asleep while the others continued to discuss how best to stay safe. It wasn't as though he didn't trust them to do the right thing, but rather that he'd interfere with a crazy idea again. He slept to keep his mouth shut and woke up well into the day, smelling breakfast nearby. 

The building's tiny kitchen should have felt crowded, but the fae had played with reality, and the room was a nice size.  Neko took his usual place at the end of the table and was several bites in before he realized the others were still talking about Maude.

"I slept," he said with a little snarl. "Did I miss something? What has Maude done now?"

Merlin, who arrived later than Neko, gave an appreciative nod when Dorian pointed him to a chair and handed him a plate of food.

"She has gone into a deep sleep, Neko. One in which she gathers all the power she can without using any. She's buried herself so deep into her subconscious that if we didn't know where we left her, we would have a hard time finding her again. There is no telling how long she will be in the state, but we expect at least a few years."

The idea of years didn't sound nearly long enough. Neko frowned-- right until Luna gave him a piece of bacon. He considered it for a moment and then decided that it was better than worrying about something that would not happen tomorrow.

They had a friendly meal.  The others made plans to come and go, but Neko turned his attention to getting the bookstore up and going again. Luna was still happy to take over the job of dealing with customers.

The group had a quiet winter. Neko, though, knew the trouble was going to come in the spring.

That was when the kittens would be born.

The End

Flash Fiction #688-- Neko heads home again/4

 

The wind came first, of course.  There was always wind as a harbinger of disaster for them. This storm had no warning breeze or flash of lightning, either.

It simply was there and lifted Neko from the ground. Neko howled with anger and saw Reggie the Wolf leap upward into the maelstrom that had already tried to catch him.  In a heartbeat, they were both flying, and Reggie disappeared into a mass of cloud and debris.  A heartbeat later, Silver Cloud swept up past him.

"Dragons!" Silver Cloud shouted.

Neko, already losing his battle, followed and hoped to catch up with his friend.  He didn't like flying and would much rather ride. Besides, Silver Cloud was heading for trouble. Dragons? He couldn't say it worried him much.

He caught hold of his son's tail and began climbing. Silver didn't notice the inconsequential weight of something no larger than two of the scales Neko climbed across.  The magic he used to hold on went unnoticed as well.

Not that it would matter.  Something large -- some things large -- swept through the clearing sky.  They were so high that he dared look down only once. After that, he held on tighter and tried to focus on the trouble they headed toward.

It didn't help.

Dragons in a dozen rainbow hues swept through the sky. Neko shivered at the sight and gasped in surprise.

No. Gasped because the air was thin and shivered because it was cold enough to freeze his whiskers.  He admitted the dragons didn't really surprise him.  Life had been that way lately. 

If Silver intended to battle the dragons, it might be wise to let him know he had a passenger.  Neko scurried up toward the top of the head and leaned close to the right ear. He feared the others had seen him, though.

"Silver Cloud," he said, trying hard not to gasp.

"Honorable Father!  I did not realize cats can fly!"

"Caught your tail and climbed.  It is too cold!"

"Cold," Silver agreed. "Let me talk to them."
Then came a long stretch of whistles, pops, and low-sounding growls. Neko couldn't decide if things were going better or not. Some of the dragons left, but there were at least six still circling in the air around them. A couple of times, Silver became agitated, but nothing unusual happened.

As long as he didn't consider flying in the air with dragons to be unusual. Neko pulled himself into a crevice between Silver's ear and head, which was slightly warmer than out in the open. He rested since there was nothing else he could do at the moment. Silver, who, after all, was not a baby, seemed to have a serious discussion with the other dragons. None of them seemed overly upset, and since there was nothing Neko could add, he decided just to nap for a while. He was a cat, and there are certain requirements of napping that he'd been missing lately.

The others continued to talk until dusk, when a few dragons showed up. Neko thought they might be the ones who had left earlier. There followed a flurry of noises that he realized must really be speech. He thought he heard Maude's name, which got his attention again.

"Honorable father," Silver began. "They have been studying Maude and her prison. She is still fully asleep, of course, but there does seem to be some problem. She has dreams… Although I think we would call them nightmares. They're getting stronger, and my friends here, some of them may leak out. They're putting a watch on the hill, and might take Merlin back with them if he is interested. The rest will stay to help keep watch here until such time as they can end the nightmare threat."

"Won't having so many dragons around draw attention?" Neko asked with a worried glance around the area. "It seems as though we are concentrating a lot of power in a place that shouldn't have any at all."

Silver Cloud talked to his companions while the world went dark around them. It was then that he noticed Reggie gliding along with them. He had the sparkle of ice on his feathers, and that looked dangerous. He asked Silver what Reggie was doing there.

"Mostly, he is working as a messenger," Silver Cloud replied. "And he also answers questions. Reggie and you both served as familiars to Maude. You know things the rest of us, who only saw her in passing, never noticed. Once they have sorted through Reggie's memory of her, they will ask you some questions."

Neko didn't look forward to it. He had done his best to forget most of what had happened in his years with Maude. It hadn't worked, of course. However, he had made an effective wall to keep the worst of it out of his thoughts. He already felt the chill that did not come from the cold of the air around them.

Dragons were a lot warmer than he had expected.

They were also very quick. Silver Cloud spun once, pointed his nose straight down, and headed toward the clouds below them in the land below that. The other dragons did the same, and somewhere nearby, Reggie gave a cry of delight and swept downward with his hawk wings folded back.

Nice to know someone was enjoying themselves.

Then he thought about the conversation to come, and darkness swept through him again. That was Maude's thought, trying to take hold of him, and he would not allow it. He did his best to shiver aside for a moment; he feared he saw her there in the darkness, reaching for him.

Only a nightmare, he told himself.  Time to let his friends try freeing him, even from this nightmare that was not quite his own.

He heard her laugh and looked around, frantic to find where she was now. Or was he inside her nightmare?

"Gotcha," she whispered at his ear.

Flash Fiction #687 --Neko heads home again/3

 

Neko didn't remember having a dragon child. Shosha looked just as surprised, shocked, and confused. He would have thought one of them would remember.

Reginald knew something.  He didn't even wait for someone to ask. 

"Toward the end of my bondage with Maude, she became obsessed with dragons, and especially unhatched eggs. Her obsession was the only reason I could escape.  I made her think I had died in the cold mountains, and as I expected, she wasted little time on a search. I tried to warn the dragons, but I feared she would sense me."

"I would not have thought it possible," Colin said. He shook his head and then seemed to note the others watching him. "In the truly ancient days, there were tales of high elves who could merge the essence of other creatures with dragons.  The hope, as I understood it, was to make a better connection and avoid some problems in the future."

"And?" Neko asked at the abrupt end.

Colin sighed and continued. "High elves and dragons almost entirely disappeared from most realms.  Some say the attempt went wrong and destroyed them.  Others say it went right, and they left together because the real problem was the growing population of humans."

"That wouldn't surprise me," Merlin added. Since he was a human, no one took it as an insult, just another of those inconvenient truths.

"How did  you get here?" Neko asked.

"Honored father," he said.  None of their conversation seemed to have affected him.  "I was not what she expected. Maude trapped me in a small book, on a forgotten page until --"

"The pixies!" Luna exclaimed.  "They found another of Maude's books!"

They had started back toward the bookstore, the ghostly shapes of the old buildings of the neighborhood coming into view.  Fae had arrived in some numbers. Neko felt better for it.  This was not going quite right.

He wasn't surprised.

The dragon contracted as they neared the door until he was small enough to go inside with the others. Once there, though, he carefully turned to face all of them.  Neko thought he shivered.

"Please, honored parents, do not send me back to the book. Everything is so small and empty there, and I could barely hear whispers sometimes --"

"We do not intend to send you back," Shosha told him, her voice unusually soft. "But I would hope you will behave and help us.  We should help each other against our common enemy.  What is your name?"

"I have none," he admitted. "Parents and elders choose names when a dragon hatches."

Shosha moved closer to Neko.  She whispered a few words, and he nodded in agreement.

"Honored son," she said.  His head came up with a look of shock.  "If it is permitted, Neko and I would like to name you Silver Cloud."

Silver Cloud glowed with delight.  He wasn't the only one who appeared pleased. Neko only now realized they should have consulted the others.  It had seemed right.  A family matter, though Neko felt little like a father. Maybe they could be brothers -- or at least he could treat the relationship that way.  Brother to a dragon sounded like fun.

Cats were not big on responsibility. Shosha could handle that part.  He had read that female cats were usually good parents.

Having worked that out, he turned his attention back to the others, aware that they had been introducing themselves to the dragon.  Silver Cloud looked more impressive with each conversation, and it had nothing to do with size.  He glowed with confidence, and the color of his scales changed to a bluish silver.

"It is like suddenly having a family," Shosha said.

That was not something Neko had ever looked for in life. He didn't know how to feel. Neko spent the night mimicking their moods until they felt natural.  He hadn't expected it. Having family was nice, and one as odd as this group suited him.

So, it angered him even more when someone arrived at dawn, howling, growling, and pounding at the door.

"The humans will notice!" Shosha protested.

"I sealed off a four-square block area around us," Dorian said.  "We don't need the locals to see this. "

"What is it?" Shosha asked, her voice trembling.

The pounding grew louder and then stopped. The silence felt more dangerous.

Colin opened the door. Rock trolls stood packed together as far as Neko could see.  Shosha made a sound of distress and moved closer to Neko. That made him feel better as long as the trolls didn't actually attack.

"We sensed the return of power! You brought her back! How can we trust --"

Silver Cloud glided down the stairs and grew larger with each step. Three rock trolls had stepped inside. Two knocked a third down and walked over him to get out.

Words whispered outside.  Neko had never realized rock trolls could be so quiet.

"I believe I am the power you sensed."

"Yes, dragon.  Dragon Lord. Lord Dragon."

He looked inclined to say as many variations in whatever language came to mind.

"I am Silver Cloud."

"Lord Dragon Silver Cloud.   Or would you prefer --"

"That one will do." They went through the door, Silver Cloud contracting and expanding on the outside.  Neko followed at a respectful -- somewhat safe -- distance.  "And you are?"

"Death at your Glorious Command.  Unworthy Ant at your Feet.  Unfit Pebble --"

"How about First Rock Troll Dragon Friend?"  Silver Cloud asked.  "Then I can call you Friend."

Neko admired how well Silver handled the situation.  He would have relaxed if Reginald hadn't arrived in a rush, and in the shape of a wolf.

"Luna says there is trouble," Reggie growled.

That wasn't helpful.

 

Flash Ficton #686 -- Neko heads home again/2

 

Home!

Someone stepped on his tail.  Neko hissed out of shock, but Dorian was already moving on. Neko could feel a sense of relief all around him as he bounded up on the counter where he belonged. A few pixies arrived in a flutter of light and color. They gave tiny screams of delight and rushed back toward their attic, leaving a glowing rainbow in their wake. 

Neko found very little had changed, although there were a few signs that others had been working here. Dorian was already sending out word to their fae friends not to come in -- in fact, to stay clear.

Yes, there would be trouble not far behind them. Neko felt one surge of anger, but it died away a moment later.

"This is nice!" Shosha exclaimed with a wave at the bookstore walls. "I never realized there could be so many books in one place!"

Luna and Shosha were so much a part of the group that Neko had forgotten they had never been here. A glance at Merlin showed he didn't look displeased. He even nodded as he scanned some titles -- the ones that most people never noticed because of their protective spells. 

"Made it," Colin mumbled as he put the last seal on the door.  He slumped into a chair.  "I think if anything comes pounding on the door, we should ignore it. We all need rest."

Shosha apparently agreed. She left Luna's arms and curled up on the counter like she lived there. Good thing she was so cute.  Neko decided it looked like a good idea. Sleep called to him.

He should have known it was a trap.

"You will let me in," a voice said. This was not Maude, and it was more than the deep bass that told him so. "There is no use in fighting it."

Neko suspected they had reached the next level above Maude.  Great.

He was still asleep. He could almost see the bookstore through a gauze of white clouds. They spread out farther than the building, and something lurked at the outer edge in a band of gray. It moved, clouds shifting around it.

This one oozed power and self-confidence.  It also betrayed a disrespect for the two small creatures who had fallen so easily into his trap. Neko admitted it had been a stupid mistake.   That didn't mean he and Shoha were always stupid.

Shosha appeared to still be in her kitten phase, which meant she had not loosed her rage, though Neko thought he could see a pulse of red in her fur.  He had no time to waste on games.  If he didn't, Neko knew he would have to deal with his friend and their enemy.

Then he heard a distant voice and knew Colin was looking for them.  Their fae friend gave Neko far better hope than his ability to take on Shosha in a bad mood.

They had been home.  For a few brief minutes, he had felt safe.  How had someone got past the shields?  How had it gone unnoticed?

Impossible.  The enemy had already been inside. That was the only answer. They had left fae to protect the place.  Did that mean they couldn't trust the fae?

Or was that what something wanted?

No one else --

Pixies were easy to trick. If someone -- or something -- was patient enough to put up with the constant giggles and pranks, they might find a flaw in the spells the fae wove --

Colin was still yelling, but he sounded more distant. He sensed Reggie closer, but silent.  Which one was the diversion?  It didn't matter because Shosha was about to explode with rage. Neko had no time to figure out what the others were doing.  He gathered all the power he could and launched himself at the white fur ball.

And he hugged her.

Neko couldn't remember ever seeing anyone so shocked. For a half dozen heartbeats, he feared she would explode and take him with her. Then she sighed and snuggled closer.

"Nice," she whispered.

He would have held on if the enemy hadn't launched itself at them. Larger than he had expected.  By the time it cleared the gray area, it was already too large to make any sense of it. He concentrated on the long snout and dagger teeth while he pushed Shosha behind him.

He wanted her to run to Colin, but knew that she would not.  Instead, she growled and raised a paw with claws unsheathed. The creature -- a dragon, Neko realized -- countered by opening his mouth wider.

"Neko! Shosha!" Colin shouted.

The dragon's mouth snapped shut without any cats inside. He backed up while making strange gasping noises. He paid no attention at all to Colin and Reggie when they arrived.

Instead, he bowed with his head to his paws.

"Oh," Reggie said in a tone hinting that he knew what was going on.

"I am unworthy," the dragon proclaimed.  "I beg your forgiveness, honorable parents."

Flash Fiction #685 -- Neko heads home again/1

 

 

"It was the damned sword's fault," Merlin said with a snarl.

"Merlin," Dorian warned, and winced when the mage looked his way. 

Merlin buried his own glare and shrugged.  "I still have issues.  I spent too many lifetimes building up to Arthur's reign to have a pretentious slab of metal and jewels get jealous because Arthur spent time with his wife rather than in battle."

Neko glanced at Colin, who sat on the sofa beside him.  Neko liked the hotel and thought they were going to have a nice rest for a few days.  Then Merlin and Dorian showed up at their door.

Neko and his companions thought they had left the worst of their problems -- including Maude -- behind in Merlin's magical realm.  But here was Merlin, and he plainly wanted something. Neko wanted to remind everyone that he and his companions were heading back to the bookshop.  They'd had enough adventures of their own lately, and they did not need to take on legends and myths.

"This realm, the largest and most powerful of the human lands, is not doing well," Merlin said. He stood and crossed to the window, pulling open the curtains to the dark night. Neko's ears went back -- they had been on the run and hiding for too long.

"Is it magic causing the trouble here?" Colin asked.

"More from the loss of what little magic it had. There are spots like Maude, but nothing unified.  Fae  rarely come this way, and now darker powers and chaos are slipping in."

Neko wanted to protest.  He stood and then sat back down.

"You have something to say, cat?"

"Neko," he corrected with a hardly concealed snarl.  "And this is Sosha."

Neko had expected dismissal, not surprise and embarrassment. Merlin went back to his chair and nodded.  "I apologize.  I know none of you are simple familiars. I fear I have trapped myself in some old prejudices, simply because they were easier. That also applies to you, Dorian."

Did he imply Dorian was also a Familiar? Neko looked his way to find Dorian red-faced and choking ... on laughter. Merlin looked confused, and that would surely give way to anger --

Luna explained it to him. Merlin started with denial, but soon gave way to laughter.

"A night's rest," Merlin suggested.

No one argued. Even though Neko still had an unresolved question, he decided that curling up with Luna and Sosha was far better than chancing another bout of giggles.  Others in the hotel were bound to hear them. It was not the kind of attention they wanted.

He would have slept for a few more hours, but an insect kept buzzing in his ear and then bit him.  Neko cursed and sat up from the moss--

Moss?

Trees covered in vines dripped water onto the spongy ground.

A pair of large, multicolored birds flew past, making some sound of protest.

This was not where he had gone to sleep.

"Colin! Luna! Shosha! Dorian!" 

No answers. No touch of magic in the air.

"Merlin!" he shouted in desperation.

The sounds went wild throughout the jungle. Birds screamed while other animals howled.  Neko started to run and then tumbled to a stop. Which way?  He found nothing but madness on all sides.  That sound drove him toward a madness of his own, and he howled as well.

Neko ran both faster and farther than he ever had in his life. Part of him decided that if he ran fast enough, nothing could catch him. But traps were lying in wait. He leaped over snapping snakes only to become entangled by weeds and vines.

Something grabbed him, rough hands tight around his body.  Neko yowled with fear and indignation, all his claws flailing --

"Neko!" The hands shook him.  "You called for me!"

"Merlin?" Neko gasped and tried to grasp what he had fought away a moment before.

Trusting in his calmness, Merlin pulled him closer.  "We have to go. Hold on -- to the tunic and not the skin.

Neko started to apologize, but they were already moving by magic, the scary jungle blurring around them.  That did not make the place any less terrifying.  Neko dug his claws into Merlin's jacket, possibly reaching the skin again, but Merlin did not comment. They just moved, and Neko almost dared to close his eyes.  All he wanted was to get back to Colin and the others.

There.

"Good work!" Merlin praised aloud.  They slightly shifted direction, as though they were in a boat, and the sails found the breeze.

Neko could finally feel them getting closer and could help direct them, which Merlin apparently approved. They arrived with a puff of steam that kicked them out onto a huge, empty butte without a sign of a jungle anywhere near them.


However, the others were there.

Merlin carefully put Neko into Colin's hands, and the cat practically rooted himself on the fae's shoulder.  Colin winced once before Neko pulled his claws in.

"Everyone here?" Merlin asked as he looked around.  "Good. We need a destination, and one with a solid magic base.  I do not suggest the fae lands. It is likely our enemies would be more powerful there --"

"The bookstore," Neko said.  "It is time to get home and prepare for trouble rather than chase after it."

There was a pause of silence, but no one disagreed.  Colin, Neko, and Dorian made the link so quickly that Neko barely had time to take a tighter hold again.

For one moment, Neko saw the jungle -- but they passed that before he could blink, let alone complain. Afterward, there were only colors, and no sense of time.

Neko could feel he was getting closer to home, and he knew it wasn't safe. 

Flash Fiction #684 -- Drabble

 

The last speaker at the conference was not human.  This took me by surprise since aliens rarely show any interest in the languages of Antiqua Terra.

When John Smith took the podium, the auditorium fell silent. I wasn't the only one who hadn't expected a pseudonym. The tall alien towered over the podium.

"To the point," the Ractor said.  Chairs trembled at the sound of the bass-filled voice. "That is the core, the very gem of Earth's forgotten art form, the drabble. The subject is mobile, as is the language. Only one rule applies: 100 words exactly and no more."

Flash Fiction #683 -- Bully

 

 

The dog always waited for me on the path home.  Bully wasn't a brave dog, but he hated squirrels, and I'd lost part of my tail to him.  No one liked him. Even the stray cats sometimes chased him off.

On this rainy day, everything changed. I had the path mapped in my brain: down the alley, through the broken fence, and the longest leap of my life.

Bully followed. He didn't see the hole.  

He landed three feet down and with mud up to his chin. A pathetic howl drew humans to save him. He never chased me again. 

Flash Fiction #682 -- Fair Trade

 

I stared through the tinted window that separated the two halves of the conference room -- humans on the right, Dyli on the left.  It was my turn to sit in the front row today.  I would have gladly forgone the honor.

I had taught myself not to flinch when faced with the glowing-eyed alien head.  A mass of hair stalks waved frantically, betraying emotions the face did not show.

A mouth appeared below the eyes. There may have been teeth in that black abyss, but I had never seen them. I counted that as lucky.

"Speaker," I said with a bow of my head.  I began planning out all the possible lines of greetings and my replies.  I didn't want to prolong today's vocabulary lesson.

"We have learned a new word," the Dyli said.

Unprecedented. I sensed urgency in the skipping of well-laid protocols.  "A word?" I said, my tone still caught in greeting mode.

"We have traced it through many ages and several Terran cultures." The alien leaned closer to the glass.  Yes, there were teeth.  "The word is mercenary."

My heart missed a couple of beats. I lost all ability to stick to a script. "This is a military matter," I offered. "I will send for the Commander to speak with you."

"And you remain," my companion said. He nodded his head several times, stalks apparently staring in surprise. "We have waited for your return. We find that you're less given to exaggeration or straight-out lying than some of your other people."

There is always a downside to being professional.

Commander Knox arrived before I could get a message out to him. I wondered if he monitored all the Dyli interactions or just mine.  I was a latecomer to the band, but my language and cultural skills were better than most.  I didn't mind Knox keeping tabs on what I did.  The Dyli were our last hope for Earth.  It was a wonder they came along just in time -- which none of us trusted.

Mercenaries?

According to the Dyli tale of events, they happened to be scouting this area for the first time when they discovered Earth, a world in dire condition. Both natural disasters and human-made catastrophes have brought the world to the edge of being uninhabitable. 

The Dyli coveted information, the one item Earthers still had in abundance. Now it seemed there might be more. Working out the details proved easier than expected.

They never lied about having enemies, and we'd never tried to soften our warlike past. The Dyli had made enemies in their travels among the stars, and the idea of having trained soldiers who were not their own people appealed to them. It turned out that they were not very good at fighting. At some point in their development, and before they got to the stars, the Dyli had given up aggression and turned that passion into the sort of creation that could help all worlds. They retained defensive capabilities, but they never considered stopping trouble before it began. Soon, though, they had the mercenaries to handle all those problems.

It was a small step from there to empire.  The dual draw of knowledge and protection brought many worlds asking to join. 

And what did we get?

Earth flourishes.  So do our dozen colony worlds.  We had one problem at the start, though. The Dyli didn't like that the humans they worked closely with were so short-lived, so they gave the top staff members immortality. 

People grew tired of the same job after too long.  Dyli learned that humans are more creative when they take on new challenges. So, immortals move from staff to world management positions, and new immortals take their place. In a few more generations, most of humanity will be immortal.  I am uncertain we are ready for it, even now.

I have spoken to the Dyli on this subject, but they are not concerned.  I find this fascinating since we are the ones with the weapons.

"Your sense of honor would keep most of you from turning on us, and while we might face a few, those others would face the rest of you.  I see it's no different from the other enemies you fight.  Do you think it might happen?"

"We are human.  We fight.  That's why you have us."

The Dyli smiled and walked away, leaving me with questions.  I went in search of answers.  

It took me a while to find what I wanted. I had to restudy those parts of Dyli culture that I took for granted.  They liked to share knowledge, but not with everyone. The humans were the chosen ones.

They were training us to take over the Empire.

There was always something new to learn. That's what the aliens taught us.

Flash Fiction #681 -- Waiting by the Door

 If I sit by the door like a good dog, maybe someone will take me out for a walk on this misty evening. It is still light outside, and it would be nice to race through the fallen leaves one more time before winter.

But what if winter arrives while we are out? The mist could turn to ice crystals and make my old bones ache. We might not find our way home in time for the evening cookies and tea.  I would regret not getting my cookie.

Maybe I will go sit by the fireplace and stay warm instead.

Flash Fiction #680 -- A true story

 

When I woke up, I saw the clock said it was almost five. Since the clock was off by three hours (power outage), it was actually close to eight. This was far later than I had intended. I got up, fed the creatures, and did some cleaning around the place. 

Then, I decided to fix dinner before I sat down to do any computer work. I was just sitting down at the desk when I thought it seemed awfully bright for this late in the day. I realized I must have messed up my timing somewhere. So, I asked Alexa what time it was.

10:07

AM

OOPS

Flash Fiction #679 --Mimic (Drabble)

 

Hetin would never be open to human settlement. The three-foot-tall green-striped and big-eyed natives proved to be master mimics. Once they saw something done, they remembered it forever, and they passed it on to the others.

The first science team inadvertently taught them to speak Common.  The second group taught them science. They thought it would take decades. It didn't.

The third science team lost their scout ship to the natives, and with it went the captain's extensive collection of pirate-related entertainment. 

I hope they get to the part about ransoming prisoners soon. I hope someone still wants us back.

Flash Fiction #678-- Forgotten/12

 

Rock troll paths were easy to spot. Rocks of all sizes were scattered left and right and formed into walls along the side of the trail, which itself was unnaturally flat and easy to traverse.

A shame it was such an obvious trap.

They hiked along the outside of the right-hand wall. Cita thought longingly about the smooth path just a few feet away. She was almost on the verge of a protest when they heard a battle nearby. No matter what fought, the sound of blade against blade, and the startled grunts of the wounded all sounded the same.

Lady Kerinis signaled them away from the wall, but they only went a few yards.  No one could hear them, and Cita saw no sign of anyone watching from the wall.

"We could wait it out," Urdo suggested.  "I am not sure which side we would want to choose.  The rock trolls are fighting gargoyles."

"I suppose they are both fighting to get the dragon eggs," Cita suggested.  "That would make it easier to decide which group to fight."

"The eggs are close," Tenon warned.  "That is why they fight so fiercely. I suggest we go to protect the eggs and fight anyone who tries to get to them."

Cita thought that was as good a plan as they were going to get under the circumstances.  She cast one glance at the sky and hoped to see Farlyn and Atora -- and maybe a few more dragons.

With nothing to take her interest, she followed Urdo over the troll-made wall.

They soon found dead  - gargoyles, rock trolls, and even a couple of ogres. There was no way to tell who might be winning.  Nor did Cita see any way to figure out who was on which side. They would soon learn, though.  The roar of the rock trolls and the screeching of the gargoyles grew louder.

Fortunately, they didn't have a plan to discuss.

The rock troll path came to a sudden end at the top of a hill. The precipitous descent on the other side was scattered with boulders and bodies. In a clearing a few yards ahead of them, Cita could see the mass of the fighting. She could also see the Dragon nests, a series of hollows lined with pretty rocks into which rested a huge, multi-colored egg. She counted at least a dozen of them. One had cracked and fallen apart, but there was no sign of the baby Dragon. She saw a gargoyle fly over a nest and drop a large rock toward it. The rock barely missed, and by that time, Cita was already on the run to protect the egg. She thought her companions had much the same idea. They scattered among the nests and began fighting back the gargoyles and ogres. The rock trolls turned out to be allies. They even seemed grateful for the help.

They would still need help soon. She couldn't see where the gargoyles came from, but they seemed to have a never-ending supply of troops. 

Tennon and his mother did the most work, and Cita would have thought they had worked together forever. They cleared the sky more than once, but Tennon didn't have the strength to go on for long.
Cita and Urdo had their hands full protecting three eggs. They had taken more than a few bruises, and it bothered her that one of the eggs had cracked despite all their work. That made her angry, and anger gave her a little more strength, but none of them would hold up for much longer. She could only hope that their Dragon ally would soon come back with help.

Then the griffins arrived.

 Cita held one moment of hope -- but the new creatures formed up in lines with the gargoyles, circled once --

Cita threw herself over the hatching egg. It wouldn't help, but there was nothing better she could do. A screeching gargoyle landed beside her.

No, actually, it fell.  Twitched once and died.

Others were falling from the sky.

"They lined them up for the slaughter," Urdo said.  "Excellent work. Remind me not to trust griffins."

Something moved within the egg.

"I have a problem here! Dragon hatching!" 

Farlyn and Atora reached her first. Cita scrambled out of the way and chanced to see a swarm of dragons heading in the direction from which the gargoyles came. They didn't see the final battle, but heard later that some creature had been directing them and disappeared in a flash of magic.

Dragons considered anything not a dragon to be a creature and needed no other designation. It could have been a human mage, a fae,  a pixie, or an overly annoying cat.  

For the rest of the year, the group remained with the dragons and enjoyed time with a dozen young hatchlings. Atora eventually acceptedd a position as teacher for the clan.  It suited her.

Tennon and his mother went to find the fool who had tole him he was forgotten.  Cita stayed clear of that one.

But what to do? Go back to the other reality and hunt for lost cities? Never meet a dragon again? It turned out even fae and dragons have myths about lost treasures.  Cita and Urdo had lots of work.

The End

Flash Fiction #677 -- Forgotten/11

 

Gargoyles began swirling through the sky, and it was difficult to tell which way they would come at the group. Cita drew her weapon, which was just a reflex to danger. There might be hundreds of the gargoyles above them, and it wouldn't be long before they began picking up the humans and their companions.

Farlyn had a different idea. If he shared it with Tennon, the rest of them didn't know it. All Cita saw was the Dragon scrambling up rocks and then throwing himself over the edge of a cliff. She let out an involuntary cry of surprise and shock just as the Dragon caught the updraft of a breeze and used it to propel himself toward the attackers. He soon spiraled his way into the mass, sending gargoyles tumbling through the air and either far down the cliff or onto the trail near the group.

I finally gave Cita something to fight, and Urdo quickly joined her. She wanted to see what the others were doing, but gargoyles kept tumbling in around her, and some of them were not nearly as stunned as she would hope.

If Cita had been fighting at the side of just humans, they never would have survived, let alone won the battle. She never saw quite what Lady Kerinis did, but there were times when the sky lit in a bright yellow light and dozens of gargoyles tumbled lifelessly to the ground. All that she'd heard in the past said that the Fae were dangerous enemies and fierce warriors. Cita wondered, given her background, if she shouldn't update some of those tales because they were far too mild. Even quiet Tennon had let go of some of his inhibitions and attacked anything that came near them with a fierceness she had not expected.

Cita had also not expected to win. Only a handful of gargoyles survived to circle high in the air and then disappear into the shadows. Most of the creatures had been destroyed by magic, but the three humans had done their part as well. Now, with the immediate danger past, Cita felt as if all energy had abandoned her. She staggered back against the boulders only to find that she had wounded her shoulder, and her arm certainly didn't want to work.
Cita had not expected Tennon to join her, sitting on the ground. The battle was all but won, and no one needed their help. Cita thought the fae lady enjoyed the challenge.

"Why did I think I was forgotten?" Tennon asked as if Cita knew how such things worked.

Maybe she did. Spite with something they all understood.

"You believed it because someone wanted you to believe it. Someone was jealous of your status as the Fae and a Godling."

Two dead gargoyles tumbled past them, but Tennon never noticed.  "How is this so obvious to you, who hardly knows me?"

"I have an outside view. I can guess at the wider picture.  I might not be right.  Be open to other answers."

He nodded, but she suspected he thought he had the answer already. Pieces of the puzzle had begun to fall into place, and they were not pieces of myth, either.  They could all understand jealousy, especially of someone who remained so polite.

Despite the bad timing, Cita decided to press on with her questions.  She was only stopped because Urdo and Atora scrambled down to where they were sitting.

"No, no.  Don't get up. We took care of the problem.  You two just rest," Urdo said as he leaned against the cliffside.

Atora shook her head and went to work on tending wounds. Cita was glad to see nothing more than Farlyn in the air. Nothing would take them by surprise.

Lady Kerinis had scouted ahead on the trail. She came back looking worried.  "There is a new trail up ahead of us.  Rock troll built and leading into the wilderness.  This is Dragonland,lderness.  This is dragonland and I fear to know what they may have found and are trying to guard for themselves."

"Nesting grounds," Tennon said with a worried look at Farlyn.  "Do the dragons know?"

"Farlyn wouldn't be here if they did," Atora answered.

"And now I do know."

Cita looked up. Farlyn made remarkably little noise for something so large. He also floated well.

"My friend," Tennon said as he started to stand.

"No. Atora and I will go to find the other dragons.  You stay with these fine people.  There are Dragons involved, Tennon.  You are the only one with a chance of helping the dragons understand that they are not enemies.  And you dare not go on without them; don't even think it.  This is a dangerous magical problem.  Neither of us could name the enemy."

"Why Atora?" Cita asked.

"The same as before. She has a naturally calm disposition.  Now go.  Find the nesting grounds and save the eggs.  We will join you soon."

Atora calmly grabbed a wing and pulled herself up to the neck.  They flew away.

Tennon stood.  He looked unsteady.

"I guess we have our orders. Let's find the troll trail and hope for the best."

Cita didn't want to consider what might be the worst.

Flash Fiction #676 -- Forgotten/10

 

What they did was walk.  It was a long way to the mountains -- but they had a shortcut.

"Fae anchors,"Tennon explained. "Lady Kerinis -- my mother -- locks onto the next link and pulls us there. That is why the scenery changes and how we can hope to not draw attention. Otherwise, we would be most of the year just to get to the base of the mountains."

"And what will find there?" Sita asked.

Tennon started to say something, and from the frown on his face, she wasn't going to like what he said.

"Sita --"

"If you are about to tell me that the rest of us should stay behind, be aware that if I hear that one more time I am going to start thinking we don't need to take you along on the rest of this adventure."

Tennon looked startled. His mother gave an amused laugh and stepped back beside them. "This is where you learn you cannot do everything alone, my son. I have to admit, it is a lesson a long time coming."

"I work with others!" he protested. "Farlyn --"

"And even  with him, you managed to get him posted far from you."

"That worked best for both of us," he answered.  "At least until now."

"It may be that it was a good choice even now," she answered. "The two of you not being caught together may be our best hope. Let us see what happens."

Then with a slight nod, they moved on again. This time Sita could tell they were much closer to the mountains. 

"Matters will get far more dangerous in the mountains," the lady said. "We must go to the highest spot to find the Dragon nests. What we find there will affect everything we do afterward."

Cita noted that she did not sound as if she expected to find anything good. That attitude was noted by everyone and even Faarlyn glanced her way with growing despair. Tennon just marched onward as though he would take the next leap without them. All of their conflicting emotions seem to be caught by the wind dancing around them. Cita wondered if that might not be literally true. She traveled with fae, godlings, and dragons on this strange journey. Who knew what magic did with their emotions?

That thought turned her to her own emotional outburst. She could feel a surge of anger beneath all the other emotions and expectations. She. All that beneath the feeling of relief that the travel was going so well. Almost immediately, Cita could pick out some of the worst emotions from others.

"Urdo, please calm your temper," she suggested. When he turned her glare in her direction, she shook her head and kept her place."fae, my friend. Our emotions are getting out of hand because of the magic. We need calm. All of us need calm."

Lady Kerines turned to her with a slight look of confusion. "You seem to know a lot about Fae. Is that more common in humans these days? They never seemed much interested in the Fae back when I still spend time among them. They certainly never try to understand us."

Cita could see that everyone wanted a break before they tackled the mountains. She wasn't certain why she was anxious to get going and find out what happened to the dragons. It could not have been anything good, not with this ongoing mess that they dropped into. On the other hand, the lady had a point about humans understanding Fae. Besides, it might help that they understood each other little better.

"My reality is a long ways from this one and even farther from the one where my team and I joined up with Tennon.  When I was in my teens, I accidentally stepped through what I later found out was a male between two realities or realms as they're known here. If I had stepped right back out, I would've still been home. However..."

"Home was boring," Tennon finished for her.

"Exactly. Once I was over the line, I realized I'd never been made for middle-class family the most exciting event was settling down to watch our favorite movie together. Yes, I do miss that sometimes. Just the same, I am living the life of those movies rather than just watching them and I long ago decided I couldn't give that up. I walked away from the veil and I never went back. However, I didn't exactly fit in either. As soon as I got my head in order, I started doing my best to learn about the people around me."  
"And you done well from all I can tell," Lady Kerinis replied. She seemed to take the story well unlike Cita's two startled companions "what about you, my son? What reason did you have to leave home?"

Tennon made a slow turn to face his mother. His face had slightly paled in his eyes grown large as though he looked at something he didn't understand that all. The expression unsettled lady as well she started to stand but he waved her back down.

"I left because I had no choice. I was Forgotten."

"Never!" Lady Kerinis leapt to her feet and lightening flashed out of the clear sky. "How could you think such a thing?"

"Yona took me aside an told me," Tennon said. 

"Yona!  that sniveling little coward -- I'll make him wish he was Forgotten."

"Something we can discuss later," Tennon replied.  He looked upward.   "I fear I may have been wrong about the gargoyles."

They were launching themselves off the mountain and heading down toward the group. There were so many that Cita couldn't begin to count them. She wanted answers and this was just another delay along the road. She wasn't the only one who looked more annoyed than worried. 

Flash Fiction #675 -- Forgotten/9

 

Cita had questions.  By this point, she had so many questions that she had begun dividing them up into groups along with secondary lists.  She said nothing as they followed the fae an her army.  At least the trolls had quickly turned away and fled. When Urdo moved to walk with her, she almost suggested they head off into the wilderness with the trolls.

Then she caught site of the dragon as he gave Tennon, who was still unconscious, a worried look. She went back to mentally arranging her questions. Urdo said nothing and Atora walked beside her new friend, the dragon.

She didn't have enough questions to ask.

"I am sorry I couldn't stop to tell you what was going on when I left," Atora admitted and looked nervous. "Tennon said I was the best to go since I was the least upset. I suppose he was right. I was worried but I figured we'd handle it like everything else."

"You did the right thing. The rock trolls were not going to listen to reason until you and the Dragon arrived."

"I thought I should be scared about riding a Dragon, but by the time we got to that point I think I was just too emotionally exhausted to care. Besides, Farlyn was anxious to get back to his friend. I think he was worried enough for both of us."

"They make legends out of things like you did," Urdo added.

That won an appalled look from their companion and a laugh from Cita.

"By the time we're done, we might all be legends. I don't think that will really help with our work."

She doubted the others understood what she meant. Cita had never searched out the greater quests, happy to do searches for lost cities and ancient relics.  Temple leaders loved them, but could rarely pay well.   Her team had a reputation for solid work, though.

Would people expect legendary work now? 

Cita tried not to think about such a future.  She reminded herself that she didn't have a clue about how to get back home.  Cita had to trust Tennon to get them back where they belonged.  At least he was on his feet again.

Urdo was mumbling something.  It didn't sound like curses this time. He looked around with growing distrust.

Cita felt much the same way, and that wasn't helped when things began to change. In one step she went from scrubby grasslands to pine forest. Glancing back showed only forest.  The dragon soared over them, apparently oblivious to the changes. Or maybe he made them. Anything seemed possible.

Real and unreal no longer mattered.

Nothing mattered.

Cita slowed and stopped.  She noted that Tennon had moved to stand beside her as he waved the others to join them. Cita started to protest, but Tennon sat on the ground and signaled her to do the same.  Even the dragon found a place to land and joined them.


Tennon didn't waste time. Cita appreciated that about him, though she wondered what they were about to get into for him to be worried enough to stop them on the trail. The Dragon flopped down behind him, unsettling a layer of dust and bugs.

"Farlyn has told me some bothersome news," he admitted. "My friend can find no other dragons in this realm, although there should be hundreds of them."

"I thought they were just ignoring us," Tennon's mother answered with a look of embarrassment on her face. "Farlyn --"

"Gone," the Dragon whispered with such sorrow that everyone felt it. "They are not here. I must learn what happened to them."

"I am again offering to get three of you home," Tennon said.  "No, listen to me first. This is something far beyond the quest on which we started. I knew what we were looking for when we started. It's one thing to go looking for a fairly tame Dragon, and quite another to go hunting for the entire Dragon clan. There's no telling where they went and if they went at the urging of some enemy. Anything that could force dragons out of their lands has got to be very dangerous."

"Could they have retreated to another place?" Cita asked.

"Those mountains are our homeland," Farlyn said with a nod toward a distant line of darkness. "It is not a place we would journey away from and abandon everything we've become. Something dangerous has happened. I must search out the answer to why I can't find them. If they left on their own, the reason could be dangerous. If something forced them away, it is even worse. "

"Be wise and go your own way," Tennon said, but he looked at his mother this time.

"You need me," she said.  "You need all of us, but especially me."

"All of us," Cita said. She finally had a question to ask. "What do we do?"